Resolution MSC.138(76)
RECOMMENDATION ON NAVIGATION THROUGH THE
ENTRANCES TO THE BALTIC SEA
(adopted
on 6 December 2002)
THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,
RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International
Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Committee,
RECALLING ALSO regulation V/10 of the International Convention for
the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as amended, concerning the adoption by
the Organization of ship routeing systems,
RECALLING FURTHER resolution A.858(20) which inter alia authorizes
the Committee to perform the function of adopting routeing measures other than
traffic separation systems on behalf of the Organization,
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the General Provisions on Ships' Routeing
adopted by the Organization by resolution A.572(14), as amended,
TAKING NOTE OF:
a. Resolution 5
on Intentional pollution of the sea and accidental spillage's adopted by the
International Conference on Marine Pollution, 1973.
b. Resolution A.159(ES.IV) —
Recommendation on pilotage.
c. SOLAS chapter V
Regulation 19 on Carriage requirements for shipborne navigational systems and
equipment.
d. Resolution A.579(14) —
Recommendation on use of pilotage services in the Sound and resolution
A.620(15) — Recommendation on navigation through the
entrances to the Baltic Sea.
e. The established routeing
system (Route T) through the entrances to the Baltic Sea.
f. The established ship
reporting system in the Great Belt Traffic (GBT) area.
BEING AWARE of the close relationship between safety of navigation
and the prevention of pollution from ships,
NOTING that, at several places, the entrances to the Baltic Sea
are difficult to navigate.
NOTING ALSO that, owing to the risk of grounding or collision and
the strong sea current, the navigation of large ships through the entrances to
the Baltic Sea constitutes a potential danger of pollution of the entrances and
of the entire Baltic Sea area.
NOTING FURTHER that loaded oil and chemical tankers, gas carriers
and ships carrying a cargo of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High level
Radioactive Wastes (INF-car-goes) constitutes a potential danger of pollution
of the entrances to the Baltic Sea and a potential hazard to international
shipping.
HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendations of the Sub-Committee on
Safety of Navigation at its forty-eighth session,
1. ADOPTS, in accordance with SOLAS regulation V/10 the
Recommendation on Navigation through the Entrances to the Baltic Sea, as given
in the Annexes to the present resolution;
2. DECIDES that the said Annexes will enter into force at 0000
hours UTC on 1 December 2003;
3. REQUESTS the Secretary-General to bring this resolution and its
Annexes to the attention of Member Governments and Contracting Governments to
the SOLAS Convention.
ANNEX 1.
RECOMMENDATION ON NAVIGATION THROUGH THE ENTRANCES TO THE BALTIC SEA
1. Ships over 40,000 tonnes deadweight, when passing through the
entrances to the Baltic Sea, in view of the fact that 17 m is the maximum
obtainable depth without dredging in the area north-east of Gedser and that the
charted depths, even under normal conditions, may be decreased by as much as 2
m owing to unknown and moving obstructions, should:
i) not pass the
area unless they have a draught with which it is safe to navigate through the
area, taking into account the possibility of depths being as much as 2 m less
than charted, as mentioned above, and additionally taking into account the
possible changes in the indicated depth of water caused by meteorological or
other effects;
ii) participate
in the ship reporting system (SHIPPOS) operated by the Government of Denmark;
and
iii) exhibit the
signal prescribed in rule 28 of the International Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea, 1972, in certain areas in the Store Baelt (Hatter Rev,
Vengeancegrund and in the narrow route east of Lange-land), when constrained by
their draught.
2. Ships with a draught of 11 m or more should, furthermore:
i) use for the
passage the pilotage services locally established by the coastal States; and
ii) be aware
that anchoring may be necessary owing to the weather and sea conditions in
relation to the size and draught of the ship and the sea level and, in this
respect, take special account of the information available from the pilot and
from radio navigation information services in the area.
3. Ships irrespective of size or draught, carrying a shipnient of
Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High level Radioactive Wastes on board
ships (INF-cargoes) should:
i) participate
in the ship reporting system (SHIPPOS) operated by the Government of Denmark;
and
ii) use for the
passage the pilotage services locally established by the coastal States.
4. Ship owners and masters should consider the full potential of
the new and improved navigation equipment introduced in the amended SOLAS
chapter V, including Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)
when navigating in these narrow waters.
ANNEX 2.
RECOMMENDATION ON NAVIGATION THROUGH THE ENTRANCES TO THE BALTIC SEA